Every Child is School Ready

Every Child is School Ready

Children's Developmental Levels

What does this measure?

The Child Observation Record (COR) Advantage is an instrument used to assess children's development in several areas. Children are scored on a 1-5 scale, and those scoring at least 3.75 in each area and 4.0 overall are considered ready for kindergarten. The areas are: approaches to learning; social emotional development; physical development and health; language, literacy and communication; mathematics; creative arts; science and technology; and social studies.

Why is it important?

A failure to develop adequate social, physical, and academic skills in pre-k and kindergarten can have a long-lasting impact on the success of a child in and out of the classroom. Measuring a child's progress in essential areas of development allows teachers and caregivers to recognize gaps in learning and address these gaps early in a child's education. COR measurements can also aid in identifying strengths and weaknesses in programming or curriculums.

How is our region performing?

In spring 2016, 53% of Rochester pre-K students were considered ready for kindergarten, up from 1% who were considered ready when they began their pre-K year in the fall of 2015. The overall score for Rochester pre-K children at the end of their pre-K year was 4.5 and the average scores of students assessed were 4.2 or higher in each of the areas. The highest average score was in physical development and health (5.1) and the lowest average score was in language, literacy and communication (4.2).

Notes about the data

In previous years, a different version of the COR was used, so no earlier years are available. Pre-K students are assessed as part of the Rochester Early Childhood Assessment Partnership aimed at promoting quality pre-K classrooms within the City of Rochester.